2012 Presidential Dollar Designs Announced

The United States Mint has announced the design selections for the 2012 Presidential Dollars. This series features portraits of the former Presidents of the United States, presented in the order served. The designs for this year will feature Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland (first term), Benjamin Harrison, and Grover Cleveland (second term).

Production levels for the 2012 releases should see a significant decline from the levels seen during the first five years of the series. In December, Vice President Biden and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced an immediate suspension of the production of Presidential Dollars for circulation.

During 2011, production for each of the four designs had ranged from 72.66 million to 76.02 million. The coins were distributed to circulation channels through Federal Reserve Banks, which made each design available to depository institutions in unmixed quantities during an introductory period. Going forward, the Reserve Banks will fulfill $1 coin orders from depository institutions from the 1.4 billion excess $1 coins in inventory.

The 2012 Presidential Dollars will only be produced in the limited quantities necessary to meet demand from collectors. The coins are expected to be made available for purchase directly from the United States Mint, with prices and shipping set at a level to ensure they do not result in a cost to taxpayers. Last year, the US Mint had offered 25-coin rolls of each Presidential Dollar, priced at $39.95 each.

The obverse portrait for the Chester Arthur Presidential Dollar was designed and sculpted by Don Everhart. Chester Arthur served as the 21st President from 1881 to 1885.

The obverse design for the first Grover Cleveland Presidential Dollar was also designed and sculpted by Don Everhart. The inscriptions include “22nd President” and the dates of the term “1885-1889”.

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Dollar features a portrait of the former president designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. Benjamin Harrison served as the 23rd President during a single term from 1889 to 1893.

The fourth coin release once again features Grover Cleveland, who served as the 24th President from 1893 to 1897. Two coins are issued for Cleveland since he served as President during two non-consecutive terms. The design for the second term coin is designed and sculpted by Don Everhart.

A portrait of the Statue of Liberty designed by Don Everhart will appear on the reverse for each of the four different coins. This same reverse design has been used since the start of the series in 2007. Incuse edge lettering on each coin includes the date, mint mark, and motto “E Pluribus Unum”.

Related posts:

Coin Update is not a retail website. If you wish to buy a coin or banknote, you should contact a reputable dealer. One of our sponsors (see ads at right and top of page) may also have what you’re looking for, so be sure to check out their websites.

Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.

Vulgar and/or abusive comments will not be tolerated. Nor will trolls.

Allegations of fraudulent or criminal activity against a named party, when said activity has not been proven in a court of law, will be removed.

The U.S. Mint’s two obverse designs for Grover Cleveland are different from when he served as the 22nd President as compared to when he served as the 24th President. Many years ago in 1968, the Franklin Mint produced a set of Presidential Hall of Hall bronze medals which were erroneously described as “coins”. For Grover Cleveland, the Franklin Mint used the same obverse for both his 22nd & 24th presidential terms. Thereby the Franklin Mint may have saved on its production costs for producing its type set. As for the U.S. Mint, it is the only government authorized department able to produce legal tender coins. On the other hand, the Franklin Mint’s bronze medals are mere exonumia which are not actually legal tender money. In the United States of America, its 22nd & 24th presidents so happened to be the same man. Thus Grover Cleveland is so honored historically.

THE WHOLE IDEA IS STUPID, CONGRESS SHOULD NOT HAVE STARTED THE PROCESS IF IT WAS NOT GOING TO FINISH IT. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A PROCESS THAT I STARTED WITH GEORGE WASHINGTON. I HAVE TO END IT BECAUSE SOMEONE DID NOT DO ANY FORECASTING. PLAIN STUPID! ROBERT COOPER

why would you pay more then a dollar a piece for theses coin ! rip-off, thats for sure ! see if you can get more then a dollar a piece for them, in your local store ! just like the lincoln cent ! all rip-offs !